Weekend links

We made it to Canberra and despite feeling a little worn out, it has been pretty exciting to set up our new place. Our friends are going to bring us dinner tomorrow night and I'm so looking forward to seeing a few familiar faces and eating ice cream sandwiches on our balcony. Here are a handful of things I discovered this week:

Have you seen the Kmart Forecast? I'm addicted.

How to leave a job gracefully.

A pancake birthday cake.

For anyone who gets anxious waiting for people to text back.

My late-night packing playlist.

A fascinating and troubling report about the rise of anti-Muslim extremism in Australia.

And just in case you're having friends over, some super easy starters (and a cheesy olive recipe from Tanya Plibersek!).

Amazing cake

On our last full day in Wagga Wagga we shared a spectacular cake in the park with friends. My friend Sophie even made a spreadsheet so we could vote for our favourite flavours and toppings. We ended up with a white chocolate cake with cookies and cream filling, buttercream icing, salted caramel drip, macarons, honeycomb and edible flowers. Phew!

Nadine did a big coffee order and we picnicked in my favourite park, feasting on amazing cake and playing with babies. It was the best possible send off. 

I have such mixed feelings about the move. I am so excited about settling into our new apartment and exploring the neighbourhood. I'm a little nervous about starting a new job and I am also so grateful for the time I've had in this town. We haven't left yet (the truck comes at 9am tomorrow!) but I'm beginning to wonder just how much I'll miss it. I suspect a lot.

Photos by me and Vanessa Keenan.

An excellent new podcast

What are you listening to at the moment? I'm loving The New Yorker Radio Hour, it's like a variety show with a top-notch cast of writers, cartoonists and guests each week.

Weekend links

Hello from the Blue Mountains :) In between finishing up at work and our move to Canberra next week, we decided to take a mini-holiday. Best decision ever. We've loved waking up late, going for walks and browsing a few favourite shops. I managed to save my copy of Lunch Lady magazine for this trip and adore it. Here are a few links for your weekend, have a great one:

Front door envy.

The simple pizza dough we've been making every week.

Amy Schumer speaks her mind.

Loving the new Blank Goods range - teeny tiny stickers, this Christmas stamp and special boxes for baked goods.

The very best chocolate cake (here's how mine compared).

A moving story from the ground - Paris The Day After via Garry.

And just in case you haven't seen it, a French father and his five-year-old son discuss the terrorist attacks.

Raiding the card stash

I have a giant box of cards that I'm constantly adding to and this week it really came in handy. I sent this cute pineapple card to a newly engaged friend, wrote four birthday cards (!) and had some special friends and mentors to thank after finishing up at a much loved job and preparing to leave town.

I love buying cards in advance (I found a first anniversary card for Tony on our honeymoon!) and my favourite ones come from art galleries, bookshops and lovely gift shops. I bought these three from Kiki K, Paperchain and Mozi .

I also love Rifle Paper, My Messy Room and spend far too much money at Paper2 when I'm in Sydney. I used to stock up on birthday cards but now a few extra varieties are sneaking into the mix - wedding cards, thank you cards, new baby cards and housewarming cards too. I must be getting older ;)

P.S A funny thank you card that I've picked up in Dymocks before.

Desktop - Rachel Viski & Kath Priest, Melahomies

Rachel Viski and Kath Priest are close friends and young mums with something surprising in common - both have survived melanoma. Together they run Melahomies, a Facebook page where they post their everyday approaches to sun safety and wellbeing. Today they share how surviving cancer has changed their lives, and what they hope people will get out of their personal posts.

Weekend links

I hope you've had a great week. I've been loving the stormy weather (when I'm all tucked up in bed of course) but hope it clears so I can visit the Wagga Farmers Markets one last time before we leave. I have two full days of packing ahead and after the shock of the first few boxes, I've found it to be a nice opportunity to sort through my things. Here are a few favourite finds from this week:

Hello weekend.

Do you schedule down time?

A fun new food website with the best name.

My girlfriend and I laughed over this - lingerie vs real life.

Loved these social media dos and please don'ts.

A new app for the list obsessed.

My dream outdoor area.

A great idea via my friend Kristy.

Flowers by Sophie.